Jonathan Bailey: openness about sexuality and philanthropy
6 september 2025 в 19:13
Jonathan Bailey has been involved in acting since childhood. Starting his career in theater and appearing in many beloved productions such as «Company», - «The Last Five Years», - and «Othello», - he became internationally known when he played the role of Anthony Bridgerton in the popular Netflix series «Bridgerton». He also stars in the film «The Seagull» and in the popular Showtime series «Partners». However, he is now taking a break from the spotlight to focus on charitable work.
Throughout his career, Jonathan has been open about his sexual orientation. As a gay man, he is committed to LGBTQ+ visibility. Although he mostly keeps his relationships out of the spotlight, he confirmed being in a relationship with a «lovely man» during an interview with Evening Standard in December 2023. Learn more about Jonathan’s love life and what he has said about his personal relationships.
Jonathan told his family and friends about his sexual orientation in the early 20s, according to a profile in GQ in 2022. He admitted that at the beginning of his career, he tried to hide his sexuality. «There are two things we don’t want to know: if you’re an alcoholic or gay», - he recalled a friend telling him. «So, yes, of course, I thought about it. Of course, I thought that to be happy I needed to be straight».
He acknowledged that he later realized he would be more comfortable being open about his sexuality than worrying about work. «I got to the point where I thought, screw this, I would much rather hold my boyfriend’s hand in public or be able to post my own photo on Tinder and not worry about it as much as getting a role», - he told GQ.
He also recalled pressure from the entertainment industry in a conversation with Sir Ian McKellen for Attitude in 2020. «It was at a stage when, perhaps, I was starting to accept my sexuality, I didn’t necessarily hide it… But I was never dishonest about it», - he said. «There is a sense of shame, I think, that is palpable for gay people in the industry. But there is also this heteronormative, heterosexual understanding of sexuality».
In the aforementioned interview with Attitude, Jonathan expressed his hope for greater visibility from the gay community while maintaining a sense of confidentiality. «I will talk about my universality on stage. For me, it’s about visibility. That’s it», - he said. «Playing straight characters, I want to be visible, but I also know that there are many things in my life that are personal, and I don’t want to cross that line. But visibility is key».
Jonathan also shared his experience of threats due to his sexual orientation in the aforementioned interview with Evening Standard. The «Bridgerton» star also talked about how this situation is not unique. «It's international. And it’s scary that [here, in the UK] we don’t care about gay people, allowing them to enter the country. Because that’s reality; people’s lives are literally at risk», - he said. «People still live in the closet. Or there was a moment when they looked and realized that it was their father’s or mother’s story; or these are people who were affected by it, but are now understanding the trauma for the first time».
Jonathan admitted to believing in love at first sight in an interview for Town and Country in April 2022. «I believe in romance and love in all its forms», - he explained. «I believe we all need to believe. That is the fundamental belief that helps us move forward».
Although Jonathan admitted to having someone special in his life in the Evening Standard article, he confessed that he tries to separate his work and personal life. While he does not hide his relationships, he prefers to keep them «secret» from the public. «Having a personal life is absolutely critical for me. I don’t know if I could be so confident to talk about it»
Throughout his career, Jonathan has been open about his sexual orientation. As a gay man, he is committed to LGBTQ+ visibility. Although he mostly keeps his relationships out of the spotlight, he confirmed being in a relationship with a «lovely man» during an interview with Evening Standard in December 2023. Learn more about Jonathan’s love life and what he has said about his personal relationships.
Jonathan told his family and friends about his sexual orientation in the early 20s, according to a profile in GQ in 2022. He admitted that at the beginning of his career, he tried to hide his sexuality. «There are two things we don’t want to know: if you’re an alcoholic or gay», - he recalled a friend telling him. «So, yes, of course, I thought about it. Of course, I thought that to be happy I needed to be straight».
He acknowledged that he later realized he would be more comfortable being open about his sexuality than worrying about work. «I got to the point where I thought, screw this, I would much rather hold my boyfriend’s hand in public or be able to post my own photo on Tinder and not worry about it as much as getting a role», - he told GQ.
He also recalled pressure from the entertainment industry in a conversation with Sir Ian McKellen for Attitude in 2020. «It was at a stage when, perhaps, I was starting to accept my sexuality, I didn’t necessarily hide it… But I was never dishonest about it», - he said. «There is a sense of shame, I think, that is palpable for gay people in the industry. But there is also this heteronormative, heterosexual understanding of sexuality».
In the aforementioned interview with Attitude, Jonathan expressed his hope for greater visibility from the gay community while maintaining a sense of confidentiality. «I will talk about my universality on stage. For me, it’s about visibility. That’s it», - he said. «Playing straight characters, I want to be visible, but I also know that there are many things in my life that are personal, and I don’t want to cross that line. But visibility is key».
Jonathan also shared his experience of threats due to his sexual orientation in the aforementioned interview with Evening Standard. The «Bridgerton» star also talked about how this situation is not unique. «It's international. And it’s scary that [here, in the UK] we don’t care about gay people, allowing them to enter the country. Because that’s reality; people’s lives are literally at risk», - he said. «People still live in the closet. Or there was a moment when they looked and realized that it was their father’s or mother’s story; or these are people who were affected by it, but are now understanding the trauma for the first time».
Jonathan admitted to believing in love at first sight in an interview for Town and Country in April 2022. «I believe in romance and love in all its forms», - he explained. «I believe we all need to believe. That is the fundamental belief that helps us move forward».
Although Jonathan admitted to having someone special in his life in the Evening Standard article, he confessed that he tries to separate his work and personal life. While he does not hide his relationships, he prefers to keep them «secret» from the public. «Having a personal life is absolutely critical for me. I don’t know if I could be so confident to talk about it»
© Zhinobaeva Margarita
